Is sending her love on this special day. Since Isabelle McClung has lost her father as well as her mother and this
house (which has been almost a home to her [Cather] for fifteen
years) is to be sold, it is her last Christmas there. May never feel so secure in any other
house. Even her apartment in New York,
pleasant as it is, is not a home in the way this was. Has been spending some time with
Jack during the school vacation. New book enjoying good sales as well as
favorable reviews. Is eager to get to work on a new one.
Willa
[Stout
#343]

Letter ID: 0389

Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith

Date: 1917-07-14

Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

Father so enjoyed listening to Will Andrews's new Victrola that they stayed too late to get by
Bladen before going home. It was almost dark
when they got back to Red Cloud. Will come
to visit next week, before Jack has to
leave.
Willie
[Stout
#389]

Letter ID: 0390

Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith

Date: 1917-09-09

Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

Understands her regret that G. P. has
enlisted, but he has always wanted to be in the military and this is his chance. It's a time of
return to basics: men carrying guns. For herself, feels proud of him and glad he can go,
especially as an officer. Wishes Jack were
going. Was sorry not to see her, but the heat was debilitating and she and her friend fled back
East. Was too worn out to work for a while, but now is working every morning in a tent about a
mile from the inn. Douglass's reports about
Mother are disheartening.
Wonders if she should go to California to see about
her. Address is at Hotel Garfield on O'Farrell Street in San Francisco. Elsie is delighted with her school and with Albuquerque. On the whole, families are pretty good
things to have.
Willa
[Stout
#390]

Sorry Elsie had to order a copy of the
novel; should have remembered to send
one. Enjoyed a recent visit with the William Allen Whites; he teased her
about being abandoned by the more literary reviewers. Debate about the book in magazines and
newspapers very lively. Nothing interesting in New
York on the literary scene except John
Galsworthy's new play, Loyalties, on a Jewish theme. After seeing him at the theater jammed between two
Jewish matrons on a hot evening, wonders if he's having second thoughts. Beyond the royalties
it will bring, feels One of Ours advanced
her in her writing.
W. S. C.
[Stout
#625]

Letter ID: 0860

Addressee: Stahl, John Meloy

Date: 1926-11-11

Repository: Colby College, Miller Library, Waterville, Maine

To John Meloy Stahl,
Nov. 11, 1926, from New York
; Colby

Has just returned, having been away since May. Cannot accept his invitation. Must finish new
novel; serialization
begins in December [sic]. Can't take time to come to Chicago.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#860]

As she can see by newspaper photos, was the only woman to receive an honorary degree. Is
sending hoods. P.S.: Edith says she got double the applause of the
men. Sending a check for Mr. Bates's
window.
W.
[Stout
#1056]

Little wonder Austin has lost track of her.
Hopes to be in New Mexico within the next year; they
have much to talk about. Will consider donating for preservation of Spanish crafts when economy
improves, but just now is helping two brothers plus others who are hard hit. Is sorry to hear her eyes are troubling
her.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#1080]

P.S.: Obscure Destinies selling
well in England. The pianist Myra Hess came by and said her friends were praising it, and
reported good words John Galsworthy had asked her
to convey. P.S.: Sorry little Bernard is ill, making
Christmas sad.
W.
[Stout
#1138]

Letter ID: 1306

Addressee: Leonard, Chilson

Date: 1936-03-19

Repository: Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H.

To Chilson Leonard,
Mar. 19, 1936
; Phil-Ex

Has no photographs of Nebraska in 1885 or 1895. Understands from Professor Pupin
[?] of Columbia that it resembled the plains of Russia. Otto Fuchs not a representation of a specific
person but a composite of many, as are most minor characters. Blind d'Arnault modeled on Blind Boone. Has also heard of a similar Blind Tom and Blind Noah. Actress Jim sees in Camille based on Clara
Morris. Many relics such as the Spanish sword have been found in southwest Kansas.
Good reading does not come from factual information, however, but from cultivated taste. Does
not approve of required reading of contemporary writers in English courses, which should center
on great English writers of the past and on Latin writers. Wishes his students were reading
Kidnapped
[
Stevenson
] or Vanity
Fair
[
Thackeray
] rather than My
Ántonia.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#1306]

Sorry he did not receive her letter written four years ago. Secretary found the draft and is
enclosing it. Glad to have heard from him. Would like to see a new edition of his book on
Fremont.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#1403]